Water softening apparatus



Feb. 23, 1954 F. H, WEBB 2,670,328

- WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 24, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet l lmjgzo tgl-'- NVENTOR. /4 /07 gem/m5 H. Wg

/TTOKNEY Feb. 23, 1954 1:'l H WEBB 2,670,328

WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 24, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @j lll- 3 di: Arme/vir Feb. 23, 1954 F. H. WEBB WATER soFTENING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 24, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Feb. 23, Y1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS Francis H. Webb, Pasadena, Calif.

Application September 24, 1949, Serial No. 117,524

2 Claims.

My invention relates generally to methods of and means for treating liquids, and more particularly to water softening apparatus.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a water softening apparatus which is structurally characterized in a manner to have among many advantages the following:

1. It is fully automatic in its regeneration of the exchanger bed, which is effected at such time intervals as are predetermined to insure a continuous supply of soft water.

2. Its brine tank is pressurized and sealed fluidtight in a manner to entirely remove the danger of overflowing and of flooding the premises as is a serious disadvantage of every water softener heretofore proposed which is claimed to be automatic.

v 3. It entirely eliminates floats and float valves in the brine tank to control the liquid level therein, which are subject to deterioration by the action of salt water, and reduce the salt capacity of the brine tank.

4. It can be quickly adjusted to regenerate at any desired time interval in accordance with the amount of water used, and has suicient salt storage capacity to care for the water needs of the average family having a grain water supply, for an entire year, so as to reduce servicing of the apparatus to a minimum.

5. Eliminates an injector to raise the brine from the brine tank and deliver the brine to the exchanger bed, so as to enable the apparatus to effect regeneration with the relatively low pressure of lbs. as compared to the minimum of 30 lbs. pressure required by automatic water softeners heretofore proposed.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a water softening apparatus of comparatively simple, compact and rugged construction, which can be assembled and disassembled with the utmost ease and dispatch and with but a few tools, and which embodies long life plastic lined softener and brine tanks to insure protection thereof against corrosion.

With these and other objects in view, my invention resides in the combinations, arrangements and functional relationships of elements as set forth in the following specification and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation with parts in section, of one form of water softening apparatus embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation and partly in'section, of the main control valve embodied in my invention;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the main control valve in service position, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 and showing the main control valve in regenerating position;

Figure 5 is a vertical axial sectional view of a hydraulic timing valve embodied in my invention; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a check valve and venturi, taken on the line 6--6 of Figure 1.

Referring specifically to the drawings, my invention in its illustrated embodiment broadly comprises a softener tank S, a brine tank B, a main control valve C, a hydraulic timing valve T, a circuit controlling time mechanism which may be in the form of a conventional program timing clock P, and a check valve V with which is associated a venturi A.

The softener tank S which is of plastic lined sheet metal to resist corrosion, is provided with a bottom layer of gravel I0 on which is placed a layer of filtering sand Il, above which latter is an exchanger bed I2 preferably of zeolite The brine tank B which is disposed alongside the softener tank S is also of plastic lined sheet metal to resist corrosion, and is provided with a top lling opening adapted to be sealed fluidtight by a removable cap I3. Conventional softener salt I4 is supplied to the brine tank for mixing with sufcient water to form a saturated solution.

The main control valve C comprises an elongated valve body 2o constructed of navel bronze and containing a hydraulic cylinder 2| in which works a reciprocable piston 22 fixed to one end of a stem 23. To the other end of the stem 23 is fixed a valve 24, which, in the service position of the valve C shown in Figure 3, has uid-sealing engagement with an annular seat 25 in the body 20 to seal off a hard water inlet 26 from an outlet 2l and from a restricted orifice 28 in a nipple 29 screwed at 30 into the lower end of the body 20.

Intermediate the ends of the stem 23 are fixed valves 35 and 36, the former of which has fluidsealing engagement with an annular seat 3l in the service position of the valve C, so as to disconnect a drain port 38 of a drain pipe 39 from a port 40 communicating with the interior of the softener tank S near the top thereof by means of a pipe 4l which is transversely slotted at intervals to provide a large number of narrow ports 42.

In this service position of the valve C, the valve 36 is disengaged from an annular seat 43 in the body so as to place the hard Water inlet 26 in communication with the port 40 for the delivery of hard Water to the top of the softener tank S by means of the pipe 4I. The annular seat 31 is formed in a cylindrical seat member 50, the end portions of which snugly t in cylindrical bores 5I and 52 in the body 20, and are provided with sealing rings 53 and 54. The central portion of the seat member '50 is reduced in diameter t0 provide an annular passage 55 opening to the drain port 38 and to the annular seat 3l by means of an annular passage 56 in the seat member surrounding the stern 23, and radial passages '51 in the member, al1 as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4.

IThe seat member 50 is provided with an annular ange 58 which is held against an .annular shoulder 59 in the body 21) by means of a removable pin 60 carried by asorew 6I threadedly mounted in the body as vclearly shown in Figure 2. A coil spring 62 is interposed between the seat member 50 and the piston 22 to urge the unitary structure formed by the piston, Lstem 23 and valves 24, 35 and 3S tothe service position shown in Figure 3. A breather port 63- is provided in the body 20 for the cylinder 2I to relieve the latter of pressure dur-ing its movement from vone extreme position to the other.

Movement of the piston 2I `to the regenerating f position shown in Figure l is eiected lhydraulically under the control of an electrically operated needle valve 'IG' vwhich normally gravitates to seal duid-tight, an inlet port II formed in the head 12 of the cylinder 2I which is removably fiitted in the body 20 and is provided with sealing rings 'I3 and 14 at opposite sides of an annular passage 'I5 communicating with the hard water inlet 26 through a duct 16 anda filter 11.

The inlet port II also opens into a central chamber of the head '12, and this chamber is in communication with the annular passage l5 by means of a radial passage BI in the head, to the end that upon opening of the needle valve 70, water from the inlet 26 will ow into the cylinder 2I so as to act upon the piston 22.

The needle val-ve I'Il is mounted in the hollow core of a solenoid B6, and the ycore is reciprocable in a tube 8l `supporting the solenoid winding 88 `which is removably secured in the upper end of the body 20 by means of a cap B9 screwed onto the body as shown yat 90. The needle valve l0 is provided with a stop ilange 9i which co-acts with a plug 92 threaded into one vend-oi the core 85, to provide a lost motion operative connection between the needle valve and `core in a direction axially thereof, so that upon energization of the solenoid 86 the core will iirst be drawn into the tube 81 until the plug 92 engages the flange SI, whereupon the needle valve 'IG will be jerked free of the port 'H to insure opening thereof for the flow of water into the cylinder 2'I to effect movement of the vpiston 22 to the regenerating position shown in Figure 4.

A relief passage 95 in the body 20 connects the cylinder 2l with the drain port 3S under the control of an adjustable bleed valve 95, so as to permit water introduced into the cylinder to discharge therefrom into the drain pipe 39 when the needle valve 10 has vbeen restored to its closed position, all so as to enable the piston '22 to return to its service position shown in Figure 3.

Current is supplied to the solenoid 8E to energize same at predetermined intervals, and to maintain the solenoid energized for a predetermined time interval, by operation of the program timing clock P with which the solenoid winding 23 is placed in circuit by means of conductors 98. As this program timing clock forms no part per se, of my present invention and is well known in the art, detailed description and illustration of its mechanism are believed unnecessary and will be dispensed with.

Connected to the nipple 29 is one end of a brine pipe i, the other end of which .is connected to a body IUI containing the ball check valve V and being axially prolonged to form a Venturi tube |03 (Figure 6) projecting freely into a T-tting H24 having a lateral outlet pipe H15 for soft water, intermediate the length of the Venturi tube. The discharge end of the Venturi tube is co-axially related to and freely received in one end of an outlet pipe 105, the other end of which is connected by a fitting I0? to a pipe IGS extending horizontally into the softener tank S close to the bottom thereof and being slotted transversely in the manner of 'the pipe 4I so as to provide a large number of narrow ports I-g.

By means of a pipe I I0, the outlet 21 `is placed in communication with the top portion of the brine tank B, so as 'to admit hard Water thereto from the hard Water inlet 23 when the valve 24 is in its regenerating position vshown in Figure 4, and thus place the brine in the tank under pressure, all to the end of forcing the brine `movvardly in a vertical pipe II'I lwhich is open at its lower end and is submerged in the brine to a point adj acent to the bottom of thetank as `shown in Figure 1. The 'upper end of the pipe "I Il proj ects through a sealed opening in the "top wall of the brine tank B and is connected to one end vof the cylindrical body IE5 of the hydraulic valve T to provide a brine 'inlet IIE to an annular chamber II'I surrounding a timing cylinder H8 kin the body H5.

The chamber -I I1 has a circular series of youtlet ports I ISWhich open into a chamber |20 having an annular valve seat I2I surrounding `a brine outlet I22 controlled by a valve I23 formed on a piston |24 working in the timing vcylinder HB and normally urged by a lcoil spring I25 to disengage the seat I2I. The ports I I8 are controlled by a 'pressure compensating check valve 126 in the form Yof -a flat ring which is normally urged by a coil spring |21 to close the por-ts so as to maintain -a constant pressure in the chamber II 'I irrespective of variations in pressure in the hard water source of supply. By means of a pipe 'I-28. the brine outlet I22 is connected to an 'inlet 128 in the body 20 which is placed in communication with the brine lpipe IDO by an annular passage I3@ surrounding the nipple 29 and ports I3I in the latter.

The cylinder II'8 has a metering inlet port I35 controlled by an adjustable timing valve I35 so as to enable the rate of flow of liquid into the cylinder to be varied. A bleed valve I'31 -controlling a second port ki323 in the cylinder -I I8J is provided to facilitate setting 4of the timing rate by the valve |36 when making tests during Vinstallation ofthe apparatus, the operation of which is -as follows:

With the valve C in its Yservice position shown in Figure 3, hard water `from the usual domestic source of supply will 'be free to oW through the inlet 26 past the Vopen valve 35 and through the pipe il into the top of the softener tank S, then downwardly through the exchanger bed l2, sand I I, and gravel dil, so as to be rendered soft by the chemical action of the bed I2, then through pipes I 08 and |06 to the soft Water outlet pipe 105,

aevogsesz.

This soft Water also closes the check valve V so as to seal ofi the brine tank B from water pressure in order that the brine tank will be depressurized for the adding of salt thereto at any convenient time.

Let it be assumed that the program timing clock P has been set for regeneration of the softener tank S once a week, say at 2:00 am. on Sunday, and that the regeneration period is fortyiive minutes which has been based Aon the hardness of the water in the area drawn from, as Well as on the amount of Water used on the premises.

When the time for regeneration arrives, the clock P closes the circuit from a source of current supply to the solenoid 85, thus energizing same and actuating the core 85 which jerks open the needle valve 10. Water from the inlet 25 is now free to flow through duct 16, passage 8|, chamber 8U and inlet port 1| into the cylinder 2| so as to act upon the piston 22 and move same against the spring E2 to the regenerating position shown in Figure 4.

As the valve 36 is now closed, the supply of hard Water to the top of the softener tank S is discontinued, and Water from the inlet 26 is free to flow past the open valve 25 through the outlet 21 and the pipe I l0 into the top of the brine tank B. The brine tank is thus placed under pressure so as to force brine solution upwardly through the pipe inlet H5 of the hydraulic timing valve T, annular chamber I i1, then through ports l by forcing open the ring valve i 25 against the action of the spring |21, then past the normally open valve |23 through outlet |22, pipe |28 into pipe mi) wherein the downward flow of brine is accelerated by water entering the restricted orifice 28 of the nipple 29.

The brine solution now passes the open check valve V, and the velocity of the solution is increased by the Venturi tube |03 so as to continue past the soft water outlet |05 without entering same even though a faucet or other fixture be opened to dispense water during the regenerating period.

The brine continues its downward flow through the pipe |06, fitting |01 and pipe IDS into the bottom of the softener tank so as to be forced successively through the gravel i0, sand and exchanger bed I2. Water in the softener tank in advance of the incoming brine is forced thereby through the pipe 4| past the open valve 35, through annular passage 55, radial passages 51, annular passage 55, drain port 38 and drain pipe 39.

As the flow of brine progresses through the softener tank, there is also a relatively small flow through the metering port |35 of the hydraulic timing valve T into the timing cylinder ||8 so as to act upon the piston |24 and close the valve |23, thus cutting 01T the flow of brine to the softening tank when the time interval predetermined by the adjustment of the metering valve has elapsed.

The brine injection portion of the regenerating operation is now completed, and the rinsing portion thereof is initiated to remove calcium chloride which has been displaced by the sodium chloride solution from the brine tank B. This rinsing is eected by the continued flow of water from the inlet 25 through the restricted orifice 23, and is calculated to flow through the softener tank from the pipes lili), |05 and |58 to the pipe 4| and drain pipe 39 at the rate of approximately one and three-quarter gallons per minute until the past the bleed valve 96, through the passage and into the drain pipe 39.

With the control valve C in its service position,

the valve 35 has been closed to stop the flow of water from the softener tank S through the pipe 4| into the drain pipe 39, whereas the valve 35 will have been opened to again deliver hard water from the inlet 25 to the softener tank through the pipe 4|. As the valve 24 has also been closed, the timing cylinder ||8 is relievedy of Water pressure so as to permit the spring |25 to restore the valve |23 to its open position shown in Figure 5. Concurrently, the flow of rinsing Water to the bottom of the softener tank through the orifice 28 is discontinued, as is the flow of Water to the top of the brine tank B through outlet 21 and pipe H0.

The ball check valve V again seals oif the brine tank B so as to remove the pressure therefrom and thus permit the adding of salt to the tank at any time during service of the apparatus. The Venturi tube |53 effectively separates the regenerating operation from the soft water line by not permitting any water to enter the latter until the apparatus has been restored to service, thus protecting the Water heater and any other fixtures from salting up should water be used during regeneration of the apparatus.

The spring loaded ring valve |26 compensates for variations in water pressure so as to insure a uniform pressure of water in the cylinder ||8 to act upon the piston I 24 and thus enable a preselected timing of the closing movement of the valve |23 by adjustment of the metering valve |36 to be accurately maintained.

I claim:

1. Automatic water softening apparatus comprising: a softener tank having a hard water inlet and a soft water outlet; a sealed brine tank; a Valve body having a hydraulic cylinder; a piston working in said cylinder and having a stem; two valves xed to said stem for movement by the Ipiston to occupy a service position or a regenerating position; one of said valves, when in service position, connecting said hard Water inlet to a source of hard water under pressure for the fiow of water through the softener tank to a service line; the other of said two valves, when in regenerating position, connecting the brine tank to the soft water outlet to force brine in a counterflow direction through the softener tank; an inlet valve controlling the admission of water to said cylinder; means operatively connected to said inlet valve to open same for a predetermined period of time so as to effect movement of said two valves to regenerating position; means restoring said two valves to service position when said predetermined time interval has elapsed; a timing device through which brine is delivered from said other of said valves to the softener tank for only a predetermined portion of the regenerating period; and means including a third valve fixed to said stem, through which the counterflow of rinsing water from said one of said two valves through the softener tank is effected during the remaining portion of the regenerating period.

envases 2. Automatic water softening apparatus com prising: a softener tank having a hard water inlet and a soft water outlet; a sealed brine tank; a valve body having a hydraulic cylinder; .a piston working in said cylinder and having a stern; two valves xed to said stem for movement by kthe piston to occupy a service position .or a `regenerating position; one of said valves. when in service position, connecting said hard water inlet to a source of hard water under pressure for the flow of water through the softener tank to a service line; vthe other of said two valves, when in regenerating position, .connecting the brine tank to the .soft Water outlet to force brine in a counterflow direction through vthe `softener' tank; an inlet valve controlling the .admissionof water to said cylinder; electromagnetic means operatively connected to said inlet valve -to open same when the electromagnetic `means is energized; time mechanism controlling the supply .of current to said electromagnetic means to open said inlet Ivalve at a predetermined ltime and maintain the inlet kvalve open for regeneration of the softener tank ,during a predetermined time interval; a hydraulically controlled timing valve through which brine is delivered from said other of said two valves .to the softener tank for only a predetermined portion ofthe regenerating :period:

means including a third valve fixed .to .saidstem through which the counterflow o! rinsing water from said one of said two valves through the softener tank is effected during the remaining portion of the regenerating period; .and ymeans restoring said valves to service position when said time interval has elapsed.

FRANCIS H. WEBB.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,276,629 Duggan Aug. 20, 1918 1,646,581 Esenhauer Oct. 25, 1927 1,652,710 Dotterweich Dec. 13, .19,27 1,751,061 Ter 'Beest ,.v. Mar. 18, 1930 1,811,890 Lnsay June 30, 19,31 1,918,225 Dotterweich July 11,1933 1,938,628 I-lu-ppertz Dec. 12,1933 1,976,439 vDotterwveich Oct. 9, 19.3% 2,247,964 .Reynolds July 1, A1941 2,265,225 Clark Dec, 9, 1,941 2,329,350 Kayseri Sept. ,14, 1943 2,396,809 Addison Mar. 19, 19.4;.6 2,435,366 Riche Feb. 3, 1948 2,539,748 Mueller Jan. 30, 19.51 

1. AUTOMATIC WATER SOFTENING APPARATUS COMPRISING: A SOFTENER TANK HAVING A HARD WATER INLET AND A SOFT WATER OUTLET; A SEALED BRINE TABK; A VALVE BODY HAVING A HYDRAULIC CYLINDER; A PISTON WORKING IN SAID CYLINDER AND HAVING A STEM; TWO VALVES FIXED TO SAID STEM FOR MOVEMENT BY THE PISTON TO OCCUPY A SERVICE POSITION OR A REGENERATING POSITION; ONE OF SAID VALVES, WHEN IN SERVICE POSITION, CONNECTING SAID HARD WATER INLET TO A SOURCE OF HARD WATER UNDER PRESSURE FOR THE FLOW OF WATER THROUGH THE SOFTENER TANK TO A SERVICE LINE; THE OTHER OF SAID TWO VALVES, WHEN IN REGENERATING POSITION, CONNECTING THE BRINE TANK TO THE SOFT WATER OUTLET TO FORCE BRINE IN A CONTERFLOW DIRECTION THROUGH THE SOFTENER TANK; AN INLET VALVE CONTROLLING THE ADMISSION OF WATER TO SAID CYLINDER; MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID INLET VALVE TO OPEN SAME FOR A PREDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME SO AS TO EFFECT MOVEMENT OF SAID TWO VALVES TO REGENERATING POSITION; MEANS RE- 